[Dailydrool] Charlie's Gotcha Day

[Susan Murray-Grage]

Hooray!  Today marks Charlie's first year with us! 

He arrived in New Hampshire after riding in a transport van with a dozen or more other canine refugees from crowded shelters in southern states.  Some of his travel companions were greeted by foster families and some by new adoptive families.  We were so lucky to find Charlie listed with New England Basset Hound Rescue on petfinder.com, although he was a courtesy listing by NEBHR for Diane Bruce who rescues and fosters bassets as well as other K9s from local shelters.  
 
When he arrived, I think he was a little numb from the travel and it took him a few days to shake that initial timidity.  Next, he took on a manic desperation to be with us every second, and scaled the fence no matter how much dh Dennis increased the height of the fence around the yard.  He took Charlie to work in his truck since he could not stay home without running off if left out or destroying the house if left inside - no, crating was not the answer for this sensitive boy, look what happened last time he was in a crate (loooong ride north from Arkansas.)  Charlie did have the benefit of his 6 year old adoptive brother, Otie, who was happy to stay home, was long past being a destructive puppy, and had never known the uncertainty (and who knows what else) of life on the street, in a shelter, and then a temporary (albeit loving) foster home.  
 
Over the course of several months, Charlie calmed down, and became part of our family.  He has developed into quite a character who, now that he knows he's home, has allowed his true basset character to shine through.  In June of this year we adopted six month old Lucy, who is attached to Charlie as though they were together since birth.  Charlie patiently endures her puppy behavior and acts as her calm mentor and anchor, though he occasionally puts his paw down when she becomes unbearable.  
 
Healing drool to those in need, as well as soothing, compassionate drool to those left behind by dear ones gone to the bridge.  
 
Susan, slave to Otie, Lucy and Charlie http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1149885

Susan Murray-Grage
Underhill, Vermont




 		 	   		  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.dailydrool.org/pipermail/dailydrool-dailydrool.org/attachments/20101017/b81843c5/attachment.htm>